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Pembrokeshire planners say yes to yurts

It was yes to yurts this week as county planning members unanimously backed a move to site 20 of the holiday huts on land near Redberth against officers' recommendations.

Toby Rhys-Davies had applied to site the yurts along with new facilities, building and associated works on 1.24 hectares of land about 250 metres from Reberth.

Officers had recommended the plans for refusal as they said it was "not well related to a settlement, physically, visually of functionally" and there was "insufficient evidence to demonstrate the economic benefits of the scheme to outweigh conflict with planning policies."

But Mr Rhys-Davies said he believed the planning department was "missing an opportunity" and said the physical link between the land and Redberth was provided by a footpath and Redberth Common.

He added: "I believe I can bring visitors to Pembrokeshire that have never heard of it before.

"If you back this it will send a very positive message to the people of Pembrokeshire."

Local member Councillor Jacob Williams: "Firstly I see no reason why this council should be discouraging tourism to this part of the county. Tourism is the lifeblood of the county.

"The Destination Management Plan was approved by cabinet yesterday. This application may be a victim of timing and circumstances in that this plan is relatively new.

"I can't believe how much this plan relates to this application."

"New visitors need to be attracted to the area. This is a chance for us to be innovative."

Cllr Brian Hall moved the recommendation for refusal, stating it was inappropriate in its present context, but an application on a smaller scale could be considered.